The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1887-03-11

touched his horse with the long
willow switch which he carried IL
lieu of H whip, and saying good-d day
went on his way, not without cast
ing backward glance at the old
man, and chuckling to himself as
he saw bin take the road to Widow
Malch'S house.
The house stood on the crest o
the hill in grove of China trees
now purple with their fragrant bios
SONS, aud as Father Henderson
rode up the widow came down tux
piazza steps, hef CAP strings flying
aud II look Of anxiety aud trouble
on her face. 1t was "A matter Oi
time for Father Henderson to get
Oft his horse, and when at last he
was safely Oh his feet he fingered Il
moment to give a word of warning
to the stable boy as 10 the proper
care OF the mare before greeting
Mrs. March.
"I'm that glad you've, Father
Henderson, she said in ii hall
frightened way as she placed an
ample home made chair for him.
"I've been troubled in mind as ncv.
er was-and seek as / might, nj. ht
aud day, Use got no father than
Jest to know LIS against our rules,
aud -
"HeIgh ho!1 cried the old man,
spreading his red silk handkerchief
over his knees. "What's this, Sis
ter March "What's this, Sister
March I Stands built all over the
yard, cart loads of lighlwood, can.
dies stuck all along the piazza
What's this Sister March =
The poor woman had sunk upon a
chair and was tanning herself with
the corner of her apron. "It's jest
been too much for me, sir, L0rena
she's got married down to Uncle
james Sands; aud Ben, he's giving
the Unfair, bat Tommy Brown is al
he bottom OF it all, aud Pm thai
Hurried and hustercd with the com
in2S aud goings, two days of baking
aud billing aud the Lord knows
what Quite out of breath
size paused and she turned to raise
her eyes TO Father HenderSOA'S
face. 1t was siern and lighted.
Calmly folding his pocket. .haudker-
Chief he pm il into his pocket, took
his hat from the floor, and said in
a dry, hard t0nes am be Oblreged
for a drink of wafer and then III
ride back home"
This was too much for poor Mrs.
March, Tears gathered in her eyes
and her hands fluttprpd nervOuSly
to her cap stIingS. "Farher Hen.
derson,1 she plead, IL never
thought you could be hard on me.
You and pl was such gool friends,
| sent tor you to let you see that
I'm in no way to blame. I've tired
20 be IA consistent member, and !
don't want fiidllng aud dancing
about my house; bat Ben, he's sci
upon the Unfair.
''Sister March," answered the
old man, sOftening a little, "you've
made me ride good five mile
through the sun to make a fool of
NE. It's the first time in thirty
years that I've lett my own business
to look after other peoples. Tue
devil is at the bottom of the whole
thing. Since Pve come, I'lls tell
t, on what YOu might have done
instead OF sending Tor me III plough
ng time. You might have gone
over TO Sister Rachel Sears and
stayed there until this tom foolery
Was over"
ooh, Father Henderson I! | de.
;lare to you that l talked TO Ben
lbout it, and he begged SO hard
ind said nothing wonld DC fit 10 eat
Ind all the money spent for uoth !
ng and so jest give inn
Eyes" cried the old man, grow.
ng stern again, eyes, you've given
n, Sister March, and set a fine
Example 10 your neighOors.'
From behind the window blind
lie interview was being highly |
njoyed by young man aud two
,irls who we're peeriug over his
81 can't stand it any
ouger, girls" whispered Ben |
darch, "rll bust if l don't my
augh ont" aud rising from his
eat he fled to Tue back OF the
Iouse followed by the girls. When
hey had somewhat controlled their |
nerrIment one of tho girls exclaim
d; "Oh Ben, what fun; ii We
onld manage to take that solemn
Id cods yer to the iufmr.r
"A-capital i,lea. III bet you a
lew bonnet against one of your
urls, ladies, that he'll see us dance
J LugInia reel tonight Fly, the
Id mans mare was a pampeTed
'east, and seldom called upon 10 [
xert herself except on rare Oeca-
iOns, when she bore her master
long at her leisure. Like all pam
'ered brings, she liked her comfort,
.nd more than once she had been |
.nown ta break her bridIe anil re.
urn to her stable, leaving Father /
to get home rs he could. /
Zen knew this trick Of the mare,
nd also Father Henderson's obiec-
lon to riding any other hDrse; he
new, EDOreOver, that the old man
ad a weakness for the fieshpots Of
Egypt, and never denied himself /
be indulgence OF an excellent APP
elite. Temptation had already /
ssailed lhe COED man as be sat